The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-18
His Second Wife.

II must say, ml'uTcu tnal eNeiyoouy
I mean all your fricndS-were per-
fcctly astonished at your marrying
John Vernon" sad Miss Lay, rs she
tossed her gloves on the little table be-
fore her, and settled herself comfort
ably in her chair
"AH my friends. So that includes
you, of course said Mildred, with n
little nervous laugh that was meant to
hide her annoyance.
well and Miss Lay looked
thoughtfully up at the ceiling, then
down again, II confess was astonish
ed! III the first place your husband is
vergng on forty, an age quite unsuited
to your youth and beauty" with little
compl mcntry nod toward Mildred,
VIII eli the latter affected not to see =
.'then you are his second choice, and l
have TOO often heard you express your
opinion of widowers in general not to
be"
.One is privileged to change ones
opinion, suppose" interrupted Mil
dred, quickly and deliantly.
.Of course!' said Miss Lay, not at
oil abasned at Mildred's look and tone.
.Bul the question is how you managed
to uproot your strong prejudice"
81 don't think it absolutely necessary
for me to relate how the wonderful
change came about" said Mildred, i'm
patiently. and with look of sudden
anger in her eyes.
"Now. Milly. there is no need of get
ting angry. You know I've always
felt privileged to say what ! pleased
without fear of offending you" and
Mics Lay elevated her pretty eyebrows
and regarded Mildred with a look of
amusement knowing your disposi-
ton so well. cant help wondering at
your choice Not that find anything
Objectionable in the character of Mr..
Vernon" she added. hastily, seeing
that Mildred was on the point of speak
Ing, "but it must be Notifying, to say
the least, to a girl of your proud, sensi-
tive nature. TO have the virtues Of Mrs.
Vernon Number One continually dinned
Into his ears, for, of course. now that
she dead and gone she had no faults,
poor woman" and the corners Of Mss
LAYS rosy mouth came down with
suddon comcal jerk that, under any
other circumstances, would have pro-
voked laugh from Mildred.
'lf it were any one else but you,
Liz1ic. l wouldn't listen to such non
venso!' exclaimed Mildred, with u look
Of lofty scorn, ''but knowing your friv-
olous nature so well. can readily ex-
tuse yOu."
''Knowing my good nature so well, I"
corrected Miss Lay, with a laugh.
snow confess that your husband is Tor
sver sounding the praises OF Mrs. Yer
sor Number One"
..rorever is a long word. and | sball
confess nothing Of the kind. because II
Il not true" said Mildred. smothering a
strong desire to box Miss Lady's ears.
'.I'll wager anything he's called you
Helen dozen times since you we're
married." said Miss Lay. with proyok-
ing persistence.
s1ndced. he has not. and IL he should.
I wouldn't mind il In the least" said
Mildred, telling deliberate falsehood
with placid face.
"And that picture" remarked Miss
f~y indicating with sweep OF her
hand the portrait on the opposite wall.
Of fair-haired. blue-eyed woman. II
don't see how You can have II always
beforc You. Let me see, what Is that
,eree about ''black eyes and bluer
Nh l have Il now:
Thr black eye msy say
Clme and uonhip my ray
D. noofing perhaps you may move me-"
But the blue t1c bali bid,
sarr from under ne I'D,
4 lore and an youn Ifyouu love me-"
&-IVIx r,of have rnnr rIrIurr UNDER